Rolls-Royce 40/50 HP Silver Ghost (1923)

1923 Rolls Royce Silver Ghost Barker 3/4 Cabriolet.
Chassis number: 54LK
Registration number: H0034BBB (Spanish)
This Barker bodied car has resided in Spain for many years; prior to which is was in France. We are currently undertaking a full engine rebuild including new liners, big ends, crown plugs, pistons, piston rings etc to put the engine into as new condition. We expect the works to be completed mid July & will then undertake a careful running in program.
The body is that of a 3/4 cabriolet & is indisputably the work of Barker. We have an identically bodied 20hp in at the same time & comparison of the timbers & construction has a number of features common & unique to both cars. The Rolls Royce Records record the car as having gone to Park Ward for a heavier body. We can only assume that the purchaser's mind was changed at some stage & that the car went to Barker rather then Park Ward. Charles Howard notes in correspondence that the works supplied new shackle pins in 1924 we assume to accommodate different springs suited to the lighter body that was fitted.
The car has a lovely older patinated red leather interior which extends also to the dickey seat area. The exterior paint is Blue over black & again is older giving the car an original patinated feel & frankly is all the better for it. We collected the car in Madrid & drove it back to the UK Via Santander ivernighting opposite the Cathederal in Burgos. During the trip we noticed a slight knock from the rear piston & as a result elected to do a full engine rebuild putting the car into a condition ready for its next chapter in life.
This is a pretty car with lovely Barker coachwork & turns heads wherever it goes. Lowering the roof is a simple affair of undoing a couple of latches & pushing it backwards. The hood is of black Japanned lether in excellnt condition. Behinf the seats is a useful elongated storage cubby hole. The dickey seat area may also be used for luggage storage on longer trips.